(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kickers are people too.
The New Orleans Saints capped off one of the weekend’s most exciting preseason games with a game-winning field goal.
This kick was made by Blake Grupe, a rookie trying to make a name for himself in the NFL.
SAINTS WIN!!!
Blake Grupe kicks a 31-yd FG to give the #Saints a 26-24 win vs the Chiefs pic.twitter.com/D4wmjQC8ix
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 13, 2023
Shortly after Grupe made this kick, he was trying to walk back to the Saints’ locker room but was stopped by security.
As Grupe highlights in a recent post, security guards thought he was a fan and didn’t initially let him go through.
Step 1: get questioned walking onto the field pregame for not having credentials
Step 2: hit a game winner
Step 3: get stopped by security thinking I was a fan when trying to walk out the player exit
Stay humble. Thankful. Great team win! @Saints #WHODAT
— Blake Grupe (@blakegrupe) August 13, 2023
This was the second time in one day that Grupe was disrespected by stadium staff, as they didn’t initially let him on the field for pregame warmups.
As Grupe pointed out, he was thankful for the opportunity, and glad the Saints pulled out a win.
Grupe’s game-winning kick could be a sign of what’s to come for the Saints.
Wil Lutz has been the team’s kicker since 2016 but missed the 2021 season due to injury.
While he played a full season in 2022, his 74.2% rate of field goals was the lowest in his career.
Grupe’s playing time in this contest could indicate that the Saints are looking to move on from Lutz.
After a successful career at Notre Dame, Grupe will get a chance to kick full-time in the NFL.
There are only 32 kicking jobs available, and this is an extremely coveted position.
Will Grupe begin the year as the Saints’ starter?
Or, will Lutz’s experience be enough for him to get the nod at the beginning of the year, leaving Grupe waiting in the wings?
The post Saints Kicker Was Mistaken For Fan After Game-Winning FG appeared first on The Cold Wire.